The state has approved the formation of a military construction company that will be tasked with construction of roads and other infrastructure developments across the country.
The move gives the military substantial control over Kenya’s infrastructure programme. The National Security Council has endorsed the creation of Ulinzi Construction Company, which is now preparing to begin operations.
“With the company, it will be cheaper for the government to undertake some certain construction tasks. The army had the skills and capacity to build. We can do it ourselves at a cheaper cost, much faster, and we will also be providing security in the areas,” KDF Chief of Defence Forces Robert Kibochi said.
Revolutionary formation
The approval comes in the wake of Kenya Defence Forces substantial’s growing involvement in key infrastructure projects such as the rehabilitation of the Nairobi-Nanyuki and Nakuru-Kisumu railways.
Proponents of the Ulinzi Construction Company have hailed its formation as revolutionary, saying it would reduce building costs while minimising the risk of misuse of public funds. The development highlights the growing influence of the KDF in the country’s economic affairs after President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed military personnel to run various State agencies in a move aimed at stopping theft of public resources among civilian officials.
Some of the key appointments include that of Lt-Gen Mohammed Badi to head the Nairobi Metropolitan Services and Col. Alice Mate as director of Assets Recovery. Operations of the Kenya Meat Commission have also been handed over to KDF.
